Shipping crate



Sept. 9 1924.

a. w. SCHAEFER SHIPPING .CRATE '11! Oct. 25. 1921 Patented Sept. 9, 924.

GEORGE W". SCHAEFER, OE LOS ANGELES, CALIEQR-NIA.

snrrrrne oan'rn.

Application filed October 25, 1921. Serial No. 510,198.

To all 'LUZLO/IZ it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. Sonanrnn, residlng at Los Angeles, county of Los Angeles, State of California, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shipping Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shipping crates, and is especially adapted to perishable fruit, such as bananas and the like, where it is dcsira is to ship the articles enclosed in a bag for protection.

The object is to constructsuch acrate as will readily fold up when not in use, to economize in room when being re-shipped.

A further object of the invention is to construct a crate which is adjustable. as to size to accommodate different sized articles.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

. 3 is a view of the crate collapsed;

. f is a perspective view of a portion bag supporting band and support therefor.

In the preferred construction, the crate preferably consists of a rectangular top and bottom frame, each consisting of L-shaped metallic corner pieces 1, 2, 3 and a, the ends of which are adapted to overlap each other, each being provided with an elongated slot 5 adapted to receive a headed stud 6 projecting from the overlapping end of the opposite corner piece, thus providing a rectangular top and bottom frame capable of adjustment as to size to suit conditions. Each of the sides of the crate preferably consist of one or more pairs of diagonal slats 7 and S, which are pivoted as at 9, where they cross, and also being pivoted together as at 10 at their ends. Wherethe ends of the different pairs of each side meet, they are also secured together by suitable corner pieces 11. The extreme ends of the upper and lower pairs of slats are secured as at 2 and 13 to the top and bottom rectangular frame. Thus as the sides are extended or brought together, the end frames are made smaller or larger as the case may be. i s

As a means for holding the crate in its normally extended position, 1 preferably provide longitudinal strips let and 15 pivoted together at their inner ends as at 16, their extreme outer ends being forked as at 1'7 and 18, and adapted to embrace the rec-'' tangular end frames to prevent possible collapse of the crate when in use. I 3

The numeral 19 indicates a plurality of bands or .belts preferably made of. some flexible materiah'such as leather, which are adapted to be suspended within the. crate, being secured to the'sides thereof ,by metal strips 20 provided with laterally-extending shanks 21, the outer ends of which are secured to the sides of the crate as at 22, the "shanks being of sufficient length to allow ample space between the sides of the crate and the bands to'insure protection of the crated articles. I v

The article being crated is preferably enclosed in a sack 23, the latter'beingsewed to the bands 19, a plurality of openings 24 being arranged in the bands for this purpose.

WVhen" in use, the crate is extended as shown in Fig. 2, the-longitudinal strips be ing properly applied to maintain the frame in its extended position, after which the bag containing the articles being crated is lowered into the crateand securely fastened at intervals to the bands, thereby being suspended completely within the frame, in such a manner that the bag is kept clear of the sides of, the frame to prevent possible injury to the articles within.

It is obvious that the crate may be cxtended or reduced in length and proportionately in cross-section to accommodate it to different sized bags that'may be used.

I claimb v 1. A shipping crate consisting of upper' and lower adjustable frames,fa plurality of pivotally connected pairs of slats forming the sides thereof, a plurality of longitudinal strips extending lengthwise of the crateand secured at either end to the end frames of the crate to; hold the crate in its extended position, and a bag suspended within the crate. i 2. A shipping crate consisting of upper and lower adjustable frames, a plurality of pivotally connected pairs of'slats forming the sides thereof, the outer ends of the dif ferent pairs of slats being pivotally, connected together, and pivotally connected to corresponding ends of adjacent side members, means for holding the crate inits extended position, comprising longitudinal" strips secured at their outer ends to the end frames of thecrate, and a bag suspended within the frame.

3. A'shipping crate consistingof upper and lower adjustable frames, a plurality of pivotally connected pairs of slats forming the sides thereof, the outer ends of the different pairs of slats being pivotally connected together, and pivotally connected to corresponding endsof adjacent side members, means-for-.holdingthe crate in its er:-v tended position, comprising longitudinal strips secured at their outer ends to the end-,frames-of, the crate,a plurality of bands arranged within the crate and attached to the sides. thereof, and a bag secured at intervalsto the bands, whereby the bag is suspended With in the crate.

l. A shipping crate consisting: of upper and lower 1 ustable frames, a plurality of pivotally connected; pairsof slats forming the sides thereof, the outer ends of the different pairs of slats being pivotally: connected together, and pivotally connected to corresponding ends of adjacent side memhere, means .for holding the crate in its extended position, comprising longitudinal strips .secured at their outer ends to the end frames of the crate, a plurality of flexible bands arranged within the crate and Secured at intervalsto the side walls thereof and spaced therefrom, and a bag secured at intervals to the several bands, whereby the articles being crated is suspended. within the crate.

5. A shipping crate consisting of upper and lower adjustable frames comprising telescopic L-shaped members having their meeting edges provided with corresponding slots and pintles, for regulating the size thereof, a plurality of pivotally connected pairs of slats forming the sides of said crate, and a. plurality of longitudinal strips extending lengthwise of the crate and secured at either end to the end frames of the. crate to hold the latter in its extended position. V

6. A shipping crate consisting of upper and lower adjustable frames comprising telescopic l -shaped members having their meet-ing edges provided with corresponding slots and pintles for regulating the size thereof,- a plurality of pivotally connected pairs of slats forming the sides of said crate, and a plurality of longitudinal strips extending lengthwise of the crate and'detachably secured at either end to the ends of the frame, said longitudinal strips forked at their outer ends and pivotedcentrally for adapting them to the crate for holding the crate in its extended position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afl'ix my signature.

enonen w. sci series. 

